On my way in to the mission one day, I came upon a huge herd of very healthy-looking cattle going in the opposite direction, ie, into the bush around the CEFA farm. There were big fat mamas and papas and lots of various sized calves, and it took 3 Fulani (of the Degereeji clan) men to herd them down the road and out of the way of my truck. Following behind were a few women and children, with their household possessions loaded on their donkeys’ backs. Notice she’s also bringing a chicken along. This, along with news of other refugee Fulani friends’ cattle on our side of the river, was good news. The Fulani community in general considers Gamboula and its immediate surrounds a safe place to be, especially as long as the UN sticks around.
